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Tag Archive for JREF

James “The Amazing” Randi, world-renowned magician and advocate for science-based skepticism, is stepping down from the Board of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). In statements released today on the JREF website, Randi announced his retirement from the JREF, and the Board regretfully accepted it. But, Mr. Randi noted, he’s got a few tricks left…

As I announced back in July, Doubtful News content would be coming to a bigger audience. Today was the first post on the reboot of the James Randi Educational Foundation website (JREF). Doubtful News: Was it a black panther? – JREF. Today, we examine a piece that appeared in Harborough Mail in the U.K.: Another…

The honors were given yesterday, April Fools’ Day. JREF’s Pigasus Awards “Honors” Dubious Peddlers of “Woo”. Since 1997, the JREF’s annual Pigasus Awards have been bestowed on the most deserving charlatans, swindlers, psychics, pseudo-scientists, and faith healers—and on their credulous promoters, too. The awards are named for both the mythical flying horse Pegasus of Greek…

Registration is open for one of the biggest meetings featuring critical thinking and skepticism. Yours truly (the Doubtful News team) will be there as will a whole host of other exciting people to meet and really excellent speakers. A good time will be had by all. The Amaz!ng Meeting | The Amaz!ng Meeting 2013. I’ll…

One of the sources we quote the most on this site is Science Based Medicine. It is arguably the BEST blog out there in terms of quantity and quality. I have saved MANY a reference from them to have for my own. Now I can have it for my own. I’m thrilled to see that…

Leo Igwe Appointed as New JREF Research Fellow. The James Randi Educational Foundation today announces the appointment of Leo Igwe as a research fellow. The appointment will support his work advancing skepticism throughout Africa and around the world. Mr. Igwe is a skeptical activist from Nigeria and a former representative of the International Humanist and…

D.J. Grothe: Priceline.com: Will You Prove Your Spokesperson Worthy for a Million Dollars?. D.J. Grothe, President of the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) publishes an open letter to the travel booking website Priceline.com to encourage their new spokesperson, Long Island medium, Theresa Caputo, to accept the JREF Million Dollar Challenge. Below are some excerpts from…

2012 Pigasus Awards Announcement. Since 1997, the JREF’s annual Pigasus Awards have been bestowed on the most deserving charlatans, swindlers, psychics, pseudo-scientists, and faith healers—and on their credulous enablers, too. The awards are named for both the mythical flying horse Pegasus of Greek mythology and the highly improbable flying pig of popular cliche. These are…

A contributor to the JREF (James Randi Educational Foundation) forum, a premier site for skeptical discussion, has posted a superb video detailing why the ghost hunter flashlight communication method appears to work. Turns out it is not paranormal at all. Just science. This is SO good. It’s what TESTING is all about. (Ghost hunters have…

TV psychic Sally Morgan sues Daily Mail for defamation TV psychic Sally Morgan is demanding damages of £150,000 from Associated Newspapers over a Daily Mail story accusing her of scamming a vulnerable audience. The article, published on 22 September, was headlined: “What a load of crystal balls!” It alleged Morgan pretended to have psychic powers…

Missing Baby Lisa Irwin Update: Are Psychics To Be Trusted? – International Business Times. In an effort to defend her self-proclaimed skills, Almaguer has agreed to participate in the “Million Dollar Psychic Challenge” run by The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF). The Challenge offers $1 million to celebrity “psychic mediums” if they can prove their…

A Conference On Witchcraft Branding, Spirit Possession And Safeguarding African Children Leo Igwe, a skeptical activist in Nigeria, reports on a conference he attended that frankly addressed the horrific problem of witchcraft accusations in Africa. I just returned from a two-day conference on Witchcraft Branding, Spirit Possession and Safeguarding African Children. The conference was organised…

Recipients of 2011 JREF Grants for Educators. The James Randi Educational Foundation is pleased to announce the latest recipients of funding through our Grants for Educators Program. The JREF is proud to provide support for two exciting projects this year, out of many worthwhile applicants. The awards went to: Brian Barnes of the University of Louisville is developing…

Kyle Hill Appointed as JREF Research Fellow. As a fellow, Kyle Hill will conduct research on they ways people process science information they discover online, with the goal of applying his findings to the JREF’s mission of promoting skepticism and critical thinking. Hill will also blog at Randi.org, pilot a “Science and Skepticism 101” educational workshop…

Not familiar with the Million Dollar Challenge to prove paranormal powers? He’re a background. Paranormal success is a psychic’s only power. Would you like $1 million? Simple. Just demonstrate that you can speak to the dead. Or dowse for water. Or read my mind. Any kind of supernatural or occult powers will do. If your…

Is Your House Haunted, Or Are Your Senses Being Taunted? | Fox News. James Randi and Seth Shostak reply to a ridiculous post by the Warrens (Lorraine and her nephew), your self-styled neighborhood demonologists. Two individuals identified as “foremost experts of the supernatural realm” have produced a list of phenomena that “might indicate your house is haunted.”…

Digital Dustup Over Ghost-Hunting Tools – WSJ.com. In the digital dustup, purists prefer to collect data with widely accepted engineering tools to better convince a skeptical public. Other ghostbusters say the digital applications have the potential to open new avenues for tracking spirits, which many believe manipulate energy to communicate since they no longer have…

Sally Morgan challenged to prove her psychic powers on Halloween. A celebrity psychic who claims to speak with the dead in sellout shows across the country has been challenged by sceptics to prove her supernatural powers. They have invited TV “star psychic” Sally Morgan to demonstrate her ability to connect with the spirit world in…

Video: Zombies Bring Challenge To Celebrity ‘Psychic Medium’ Laguna Beach, Calif.—James Van Praagh has made himself rich by claiming he talks to the dead on daytime TV and at pricey ticketed seances—but he wouldn’t talk at all when ‘the dead’ actually turned up at his $100-a-head seminar to ask why he won’t prove his psychic…

Jailed mystery artist once Amazing Randis assistant — under a different name – South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com. Before artist Jose Alvarez traveled the world with famed magician and professional skeptic James “The Amazing” Randi, he was Deyvi Pena, a young man from Venezuela with a student visa to study at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Mystery has shrouded…

JREF Decries ‘Anderson’ Episode Featuring Psychic Medium John Edward The James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF), a non-profit organization that provides the public with reliable, scientific information about paranormal claims, criticized Anderson Cooper’s new daytime talk show ‘Anderson’ for yesterday’s episode promoting self-proclaimed psychic medium John Edward. John Edward has made his fortune by using manipulative…

An Open Letter to James Van Praagh: What Are You Hiding From?. After Van Praagh made himself look questionable on an ABC News Nightline special about psychics, the James Randi Educational Foundation formally delivered to him an invitation to show his powers to the world. The letter from President D.J. Grothe begins: I’m sure you received my letter…

JREF in Haunted Magazine. In a bold move, the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) show up in Haunted Magazine. This month’s edition …includes a three-page feature on the JREF and our Million Dollar Challenge, interviewing MDC Director Banachek. The issue also features a full page ad from the JREF, challenging U.K. psychics to accept our Challenge.

After saying she would take it… Welsh psychic Leigh Catherine finds Randi’s Million Dollar paranormal challenge looks a little daunting. She writes on Twitter: Had a very interesting email re the Randi challenge today. As expected – dodgy as legally & set up to make it impossible to pass !